Surviving the Game as a Barbarian – 134



Episode 134: Team play (4)

I am wandering through a maze.

There are no biscuits or balls of yarn but that’s okay.

Because we have Rotmiller.

“Wait a minute just in case I’ll leave one more mark here.”

There was a time when I wondered what use it would be to be a searcher when even a guide couldn’t find the way properly…

It was all my arrogance.

Rotmiller who worked his way up from the bottom was a truly versatile man.

“Can I take a look at the map?”

“I know.”

He created a map based on the route we took.

It wasn’t just a roughly made map it was a map so elaborate that it was reminiscent of a mini map.

I made it by just pausing once every 10 minutes and swiping.

“Now that’s done give it to me. “The map also needs to be updated.”

“Oh here it is.”

It was fascinating to see Lot Miller moving his pen across the map without hesitation but he never asked how this was possible.

Well I already did it earlier.

[This isn’t that complicated so you can memorize it just by walking. To measure distance just count the steps you take and then write it down accordingly.]

Map making and observation are the areas you are most confident in as you have been doing them for several years in the first floor crystal cave?

I never thought this guy would have such talent.

It was a little sad.

Rather than being a talent it’s probably the result of effort that I naturally acquired because I didn’t have any talent.

“I’m sorry for taking up your time. “Let’s go.”

It took a while to stop for about 30 seconds.

I walk through the dark maze again.

There is a Rotmiller following closely behind.

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For reference he holds a long sword in his hand not a crossbow.

This is a change that occurred after several previous battles.

[This seems like enough to hold on to at least one guy.]

Rotmiller whose abilities increased began to actively intervene in the battle.

Just like high-level explorers usually do.

The goal is to serve one person in addition to exploration.

“This time it’s you.”

After the warning from Rotmiller who had a developed sense of smell four Vaikundus soon appeared from the front.

Four level 6 monsters are a group of people on a scale we have never encountered even on the 4th floor…

No one is particularly nervous.

Because we have Dwalki.

Pishuuuuut!

A ‘reinforced ice spear’ that is fired as soon as a monster appears.

However even here it is different from before.

There are two ice spears whose power is several times stronger than before.

‘I didn’t know you would do double casting.’

When I found out about this I felt a little embarrassed.

Although we had been together for several months I had no real knowledge of them at all.

‘Nimiral.’

The horsepower level is just abnormally low.

Dwalki’s magical talent was considerable.

Enough to use additional auxiliary magic while double casting.

“Riol Warb Dwalki casted the level 8 auxiliary magic [Trajectory Adjustment].”

The ice spear flew over our heads like a cannonball fired from afar without even having to move to the side to make space.

Kwaaaaaaaaaa!

Before the battle even began two grade 6 monsters turned into light and disappeared.

thus….

“Let’s get rid of it quickly and pass by. “This time too I and Miss Karlstein will be in charge of one of them.”

While I was in charge of marking one guy.

Misha and Rotmiller work together to take on the other guy.

And around the time Misha killed one.

Pishuuuuut!

After finishing chanting once again Dwalki’s ice spear smashed the head of Vaikundus who was beating me.

It took about 4 minutes to get here.

“What are you talking about Bjorn? “I’m not going.”

This is the final change for our team’s Banpoon.

“Hehehe don’t worry no matter what appears. Whatever it is I Riole Warb Dwalki will take care of it.”

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Dwalki is out of luck again.

***

Guardian of balance.

Originally wizards benefited the most from this field effect.

Because wizards cannot consume essence.

It is a structure that inevitably causes the main stat horsepower to fluctuate.

but….

‘That’s to an extent.’

This is my first time seeing an extreme case like Dwalki.

However if you look at it closely it is an understandable change.

The wizards I used in the game were all talented and had high magic-related stats.

Unlike the former half-pun wizard Dwalki.

“It’s a really mysterious feeling. Should I say that it feels like all the shackles have been lifted?”

Dwalki is human.

And he has a body that is far from athletic.

Moreover he has a magical power level that is below his floor let alone average…

‘If you look at their abilities alone they would be almost three times different from us.’

I don’t know if the entire team is human.

Me Misha and the dwarf.

There are three different races on the team with inherently high basic stats.

Rotmiller?

Although he has benefited he is in no way comparable to Dwalki.

First of all I am a veteran who has consumed four essences.

‘…I wonder why the magician’s abilities are so poor.’

After watching the team all day I finished analyzing the team’s strength.

I was the one who suffered the greatest loss…

‘How can things work out this well?’

As a whole the team has become at least twice as strong.

[Dungeon & Stone] is a team-based combat game.

Maximum efficiency is achieved when everyone can fulfill their role rather than when only one person is outstanding.

It’s a bit bittersweet but…

That was the reason I wanted to leave Team Banpuni.

‘Is this the first and last proper team play?’

Rottmiller and Dwalki.

Today I was able to see something I had not seen in those two.

But nothing changes.

With a lot of effort and luck it would be possible for those two to reach the same level as they are today.

but….

‘It will take a few years.’

It takes a long time.

Moreover that would be the final point where they can grow.

The shortcomings of both are very clear.

Rotmiller?

Combat power can be filled by feeding essence.

However in order to play the way I want I need an explorer with the ‘Guide’ ability from the 5th floor onwards.

Dwalki?

Double casting and all but in the end the greatest quality of a wizard is his magic power.

So even the Magic Tower would not have accepted it.

It’s a cold statement but…

Based on the Magic Tower Dwarki’s talent wasn’t particularly special.

When my thoughts reached that point my heart suddenly felt cold.

I don’t feel that way really.

“The character has suffered cold damage.”

The cold that penetrates beyond the skin and into the bones.

When she came to her senses Misha was snorting at her.

“Hey Bjorn!! “How long are you going to ignore what I say!!”

“Oh what did you say?”

“What can I say! “Everyone is going to sleep now so I told you to stay alert!”

Misha asked in a soft voice whether he was worried for a moment before he got angry and punched me in the chest.

“But… are you okay?”

“It’s okay. “It’s still cold but it doesn’t hurt.”

I sincerely tilted my head.

“I?”

“huh. It’s hard to explain it in words but… Ah! “If I were to be specific it was similar to the facial expression you made when I told you to eat carrots.”

Well I don’t know any more.

“Okay go to sleep now. “Don’t worry I’ll be on guard properly.”

“Uhm okay.”

Soon Misha returned to her seat and got into her sleeping bag.

And chatted with her other colleagues.

“Ugh I was really tired today.”

“Haha it’s worth it. “You were taken to an unknown place and how many level 6 monsters did you kill?”

“…I may say this but I had a little fun. Should I say that it feels like I am exploring for the first time? In fact it’s different from the exploration I’ve longed for so far.”

“Oh I think I know what you mean.”

“Haha I felt like I was an explorer in a story.”

A few words exchanged while lying down before ending the day.

Of course it wasn’t long as it was time for a break.

“Oh right. Dwalki was amazing today.”

“Is that because I am so good? You don’t have to calculate the spell over and over again to save magic power just fire it out and that’s it? “Any magic wizard would have been able to do this.”

“Uh… that kind of river? Even if you say that I don’t really know. Anyway I worked hard today and I’m proud of it.”

“Sleep well Miss Misha.”

The sparse conversation ends and silence comes.

[01:04]

Before I knew it an hour had passed since the 20th day started.

I checked my plan while remaining alert to my surroundings.

‘If it only takes a few more hours you will be able to obtain that item so now all you have to do is find the boss room.’

With our current strength the boss fight doesn’t seem to be too much of a problem so there’s nothing to worry about.

However the catch is that if you are unlucky you may not be able to reach the boss room in time.

‘If I had stayed one more week I would have packed everything I needed and left…’

It was that moment when I lost my appetite with such regret.

I turned my head to see people rustling and saw Dwalki getting out of his sleeping bag.

“That Bjorn….”

“Sleep even if you can’t sleep. Tomorrow—”

“It’s not that I can’t sleep.”

huh?

Before I could say anything Dwalki stood up completely and came towards me.

And I lowered my voice so as not to wake my colleagues.

“I have something to tell you.”

Yesterday Rotmiller came like this and it seems it was his turn this time.

“…Try it.”

“Do you remember what I told you about Miss Misha’s tastes last time?”

“I remember.”

I never forget a lie once told.

That way there won’t be any holes later.

Well it’s meaningless in the current situation.

“So what do you want to say?”

As I stared at him Dwalki opened his mouth with a determined look in his eyes.

“I was going to ask you if what you said back then was true. But now that I think about it again I don’t think it means anything whether it’s true or not.”

Dwalki’s voice was different from usual.

He didn’t tremble in the slightest and his gaze looking up at me was firm.

“I guess she has good taste. “It would be cowardly to hope for sincerity without showing my true self.”

“…What do you mean?”

“You don’t know. “You already know that I am secretly in love with her.”

She wished she had at least gone back to the city and said —

“If I survive this time and return to the city—”

“stop.”

I urgently cut off Dwalki’s conversation.

Because there is a clear difference between thinking and saying it directly.

However perhaps he misunderstood my sincere concerns.

“As expected of you Bjorn….”

Dewalki pressed his lips and shook his head as if to shake off his idle thoughts. And he continued speaking with a firmer voice than ever.

“But nothing changes.”

“Stop talking. “I understand what your misunderstanding was.”

“When I return to the city I will reveal my heart.”

No that’s a flag.

‘Nimiral.’

Suddenly I started to feel as anxious as when I had met Hans.

***

“This is all I have to do. “Then I’ll leave.”

Afterwards Dwalki turned around as if running away and buried himself in her sleeping bag.

And before long he let out a soft breathing sound.

I was worried that she might spend her precious rest time without sleep because of this but it seems she was tired from today’s journey.

‘… But she doesn’t mean to propose to me so I guess that’s okay?’

I tried my best to erase my worries and focus on keeping watch.

Two hours passed and I woke up the dwarf replaced him and went to lie down.

And when I opened my eyes again.

[05:07]

It was time to leave.

Well the dwarf and I have decided to take turns on watch for four hours tonight.

“You both must be tired but you had a hard time.”

“Haha it can’t be helped. “There isn’t much time left now.”

“Tomorrow it’s Rotmiller’s turn with me so just work a little harder today and get some rest later.”

After briefly clearing the campsite we resumed our journey.

For reference today’s goal is clear.

“As Bjorn said it looks like we have reached the outer surface of the maze. From now on we will only go in one direction along this wall.”

A corner of the Larkaz Labyrinth a square structure.

Defeat the mid-boss here and get hidden rewards.

For your information I don’t know which of the four types of mid-bosses will appear.

This is because it changes randomly in the game.

‘Actually I can easily defeat anything with my current strength. Except for him everyone else has clear weaknesses.’

[Meeeek-!!!]

Today we accelerated our movement by killing countless Vaikundus which must have already been caught in the hundreds.

There was still no sign of Jeongsoo coming out…

Instead a huge amount of magic stones accumulated.

“Hahaha! “This must be pretty salty just for the magic stone right?”

Actually this is the second reward of the maze.

There is no place on the 5th floor where level 6 monsters come in a single type that is easy to catch. If it were on the 4th floor it would have been difficult to encounter even 20 of them in a day.

“…Dead end?”

After traveling for about 12 hours we reached our destination.

The point corresponding to the edge of the maze.

“I never thought there would be anything here.”

“It could be in the other direction. Or maybe it’s in the wrong place.”

“Haha it’s not like there’s no way out right?”

“That won’t be possible. “Because this place is also a labyrinth.”

As the group reached the dead-end wall and spoke one word at a time Rotmiller observed the wall closely and muttered something.

“…Wait a moment and see. Something looks suspicious.”

Honestly I was a bit surprised.

Is it because of the sixth sense attached to Mimic’s essence?

Or is it just this guy’s observation skills?

Click click click.

A wall that is pushed aside when something touches it revealing a hidden space.

“Wow the door opened.”

“It could be dangerous so everyone step back!”

The dwarf jumped forward and raised his shield and without realizing it I quickly joined him.

Of course there was no monster jumping out.

“…Nothing comes out?”

Because it’s not that kind of place.

The space inside the wall was covered in darkness making it impossible to check with the naked eye.

Actually it didn’t mean anything to me.

“I will take the lead.”

“Bjorn! “It could be dangerous!”

“It’s okay. “That’s my role.”

Instead of being an observant dwarf he spoke like a tank and as we entered the torches on the walls turned on at once illuminating the room.

I quickly checked my surroundings.

“This is….”

A stone room that is approximately 30 pyeong in size.

A magic circle with geometric patterns drawn on the floor.

There’s even a pole with a goat’s head on it as decoration.

“Something… it feels bad.”

“I can’t see the portal. Can’t I just leave?”

I secretly smiled as I looked at Misha and Dwalki muttering ominously.

Well they don’t know.

Compared to other rooms this is a decent room.

‘Anyway since I’m stuck here finding the boss room will be a piece of cake. As for how to use it I think you just need to give Rotmiller a clue like before…’

Thanks to you it saved me an hour.

It will be a little difficult to catch the boss but if you’re unlucky it’s possible to end the exploration without even seeing the boss’s face.

‘Anyway how do I summon him? If you just do it it will look very suspicious.’

It was just a moment when I was having such pleasant thoughts.

“uh?”

“…You too?”

Everyone including me flinched at the same time.

As expected I wasn’t the only one who felt the change.

“what? “Suddenly my magical power increased tremendously.”

“It’s the same for me too. “Why on earth is my body like this?”

As the strength level decreased the slightly burdensome pressure of the heavy armor disappeared. It feels like I’m wearing Styrofoam armor for cosplay.

Why on earth did this happen?

As soon as I realized the truth swear words came out.

‘What the fuck….’

Vitality surges throughout my body.

A change at a level that could not have been felt even if [Giantization] was used.

I already know the reason for the change.

“Rotmiller.”

“…It seems you had the same thoughts as me.”

Hidden field Larkaz’s maze on the 4th floor.

Another explorer entered here.

‘Minimum of one person and maximum of five people.’

Common sense suggests that it is most likely to be a 5-person team but it is still too early to say for sure.

All possibilities are open.

but….

At least one thing is certain.

Either him.

Or those guys.

「Field effect – Guardian of Balance is updated.」

“The abilities of the attendees are adjusted equally.”

It’s so strong that it’s almost intimidating.